Introduction to Medicine students were encouraged to take a global look at the discipline in their first lesson yesterday, as they considered the different health problems faced in the so-called “developed world” as opposed to the “developing world”. So, students thought about the health problems produced by poor sanitation and irregular health infrastructure in the “developing world”, and those caused by obesity, smoking and high stress levels in the “developed world”.

In the UK, as students were interested to learn, life expectancy is dependant to a worrying extent on social status―those working typical “blue-collar” jobs are likely to feel less valued by society (despite their substantial contribution) which can affect health outcomes―along with alcohol consumption, smoking and homelessness.

After lessons, students were treated to a guided tour of the city centre. Alongside the historic mainstays such as the Radcliffe Camera (England’s first circular library), All Souls College, and the Sheldonian Theatre, the guide introduced them to some lesser known points of historical interest. For example, students were led into the cosy courtyard of the Golden Cross, which is believed to have hosted an early performance of Hamlet under the bard’s own direction, and is known to have housed the poet Alexander Pope for a short time in 1735.

The day’s thrills did not end there―back in St Hugh’s, students faced off in teams for the chance to win a formidable cache of sweet treats in the ORA Quiz. Of course, students’ general knowledge, current affairs nous, and scientific prowess were the main focus, as students became altogether more intent on proving their cerebral mettle than laying their hands on Haribo and Maltesers!